Floor paint

[archstanton89]

Hey everyone,

I have been fixing up my garage and last this left is the floor. It has old layers of grey paint on it. For weeks i did endless research on polyaspartic but quite frankly I dont think injabe the spare time to do all the prep work and the actual application.

I know simply applying paint never really work, but I feel its my only realistic option. Any suggestions/comments/ideas are welcome. I know its not the best decision but I want to get something rolling and at least have the floor look decent for some time.

 

[bluedog225]

I’ve got no problem with paint.

 

[mogandave]

I like paint, but I would at least scrub rinse and scuff it.

Can you get 2-part epoxy where you are?

 

[archstanton89]

I like paint, but I would at least scrub rinse and scuff it.

Can you get 2-part epoxy where you are?

I can , its just recommended to get down to bare concrete. Im not sure if I want to do something time consuming and not prep correctly. If that makes sense

 

[archstanton89]

I’ve got no problem with paint.

What do you use?

 

[mogandave]

I can , its just recommended to get down to bare concrete. Im not sure if I want to do something time consuming and not prep correctly. If that makes sense

Yeah, there are any number of recommendations, but the main concern is whether the existing paint is stuck pretty well or if it's flaking off. If you can't scrape it off, it's stuck on, and as long as it is reasonably clean, it should be fine.

The other issue is what kind of paint the existing is. If it's enamel, it might bubble under epoxy. You can test it with acetone.

The nice thing about epoxy is that because it is catalytic, when it fills cracks and pits, will cure and can work as a filler.

 

[mogandave]

Using epoxy should really not take any longer to apply than any other paint.

 

[archstanton89]

Using epoxy should really not take any longer to apply than any other paint.

Thanks, yea the paint thats on there is not flaking and is stuck, just ugly. Doesnt 2 part epoxy take like 2 days due to curing times for base coat? Maybe there’s different types

 

[mogandave]

Thanks, yea the paint thats on there is not flaking and is stuck, just ugly. Doesnt 2 part epoxy take like 2 days due to curing times for base coat? Maybe there’s different types

The epoxy I have used cures hard in about 8 hours in warm weather.

I never used a base-coat. We used a thin first coat, scuffed, and then a second heavier coat.

After the first coat you can fill any obvious defects before the second coat. We used bondo as a filler.

Two coats in two days and working on it on the third day.

 

[The Cobbler]

good old fashioned oil base floor paint is quite durable. and a lot cheaper than epoxy.

 

[mogandave]

good old fashioned oil base floor paint is quite durable. and a lot cheaper than epoxy.

Not that much cheaper where I am, how much cheaper is it where you are?

And you have to be more careful with oil base as (in my experience) the thick spots take forever to dry....

 

[JohnC1957]

Epoxy has bubbled every painted concrete floor that I’ve had to redo. That’s only been three but that’s my experience. I’ve never had the same time and/or desire to grind to bare concrete so just repainted. I have ground and epoxied concrete floors that had not been been previously painted.

 

[P0234]

If you paint over what you have, you will be constantly fixing it or dealing with the peeling paint. As mentioned above doing epoxy isn't really any more work than painting. Proper prep is the hard part, but renting a grinder can turn it into a quick job.

 

[Copymutt]

I do part of mine w/ commercial grade carpet. Cheap since its construction upgrade removal, NC.
its quiet. Easy on the feet. I have a seperate piece under my collector vehicle, makes undercarriage work more pleasant since I don't have a lift.
Don't recommend it next to power tools that make shavings or dust & certainly not in torch/ welding areas.

oose Garage Carpet for a Unique Look​

Unless your garage is a living space, save the soft feel of a plush carpet for your home’s interior. However, there are garage-specific grades of carpet with rubber backings that create a moisture seal to prevent mold buildup. A local carpet installation pro can usually finish this job in less than a day.

These carpets are made with oil-resistant, synthetic fibers that a professional cleaning service can powerwash. Carpets can easily trap shavings from wood or metal, and a smoother surface like rubber or concrete will be easier to clean if you work with these materials at all in the garage.

• Benefits: Carpeting provides insulation and reduces noise.
• Best for low-traffic garages free from wood- and metalworking.

 

[mogandave]

Epoxy has bubbled every painted concrete floor that I’ve had to redo. That’s only been three but that’s my experience. I’ve never had the same time and/or desire to grind to bare concrete so just repainted. I have ground and epoxied concrete floors that had not been been previously painted.

If the existing is true epoxy, fresh epoxy will not make it bubble.

If the existing is synthetic, fresh epoxy will probably not make it bubble, but best to try a test area.

If the existing is old oil-based, epoxy might make it bubble, best to try a test area.

If the existing is oil-based less than a couple years old, epoxy will likely make it bubble, particularly if it was laid on thick, but still worth trying a test area.

Rag damp with acetone laid on the existing for 20 minutes should tell you if it's worth trying an actual test area.

 

[mike93lx]

Putting any coating over a poorly prepped surface is wasting time and money

 

[mogandave]

Putting any coating over a poorly prepped surface is wasting time and money

What do you think is the minimum prep for a coat of paint?

 

[mike93lx]

What do you think is the minimum prep for a coat of paint?

Generally, the same stuff you listed. All stains removed or treated, anything loose removed, scuff any existing coatings that are well adhered and follow any other recommendations on the particular product in use.

That floor has a lot going on. I think I would grind it if it was my floor.

 

[MJK]

If any sort of paint / epoxy I vote for overdoing the prep as much as you reasonably can if you plan on keeping the place long term.

Muriatic acid, scrubbing (buy the right full face mask), pressure washing, grind/sand (THD rents diamond wet grinders), re-scrub is probably the best way to do this. I had a similar entry level epoxy experience and ground it off in favor of tile. But, that certainly is not for everyone.

Maybe something like a race deck type solution?

 

[Sumboodie]

good old fashioned oil base floor paint is quite durable. and a lot cheaper than epoxy.

And doesn't melt as easy from welding.

 

[archstanton89]

Generally, the same stuff you listed. All stains removed or treated, anything loose removed, scuff any existing coatings that are well adhered and follow any other recommendations on the particular product in use.

That floor has a lot going on. I think I would grind it if it was my floor.

I did all the above between yesterday and today. Simple green, power wash, simple green and scrape

 

[archstanton89]

If the existing is true epoxy, fresh epoxy will not make it bubble.

If the existing is synthetic, fresh epoxy will probably not make it bubble, but best to try a test area.

If the existing is old oil-based, epoxy might make it bubble, best to try a test area.

If the existing is oil-based less than a couple years old, epoxy will likely make it bubble, particularly if it was laid on thick, but still worth trying a test area.

Rag damp with acetone laid on the existing for 20 minutes should tell you if it's worth trying an actual test area.

I ended up getting an industrial two part epoxy from a paint supplier. Cleaned it real well, power wash and scraped. Will apply tomorrow or Sunday

 

[mogandave]

I ended up getting an industrial two part epoxy from a paint supplier. Cleaned it real well, power wash and scraped. Will apply tomorrow or Sunday

Make sure it's dry, not hurry.

I would wipe it off with an acetone dampened towel as I went along.

Make sure you're well ventilated...

 

[Jsf721]

Good Luck !

 

[mogandave]

Check the pot-life of your kit, if it's over 6 hours, try a 12" X 12" patch on a good spot of old paint, and check it does not bubble in an hour, should be good if it doesn't.

You can usually double the pot-life is you store it in the refrigerator if you don't wait too long to get it in there.

Good luck indeed!

 

[P0234]

I did all the above between yesterday and today. Simple green, power wash, simple green and scrape

I must have missed the you ground it part....

 

[mike93lx]

I must have missed the you ground it part....

Minor difference...

 

[archstanton89]

Make sure it's dry, not hurry.

I would wipe it off with an acetone dampened towel as I went along.

Make sure you're well ventilated...

Thanks fir the tips. Wipe what off, the old paint?

 

[mogandave]

Thanks fir the tips. Wipe what off, the old paint?

Yes.

 

[benwah]

I ended up getting an industrial two part epoxy from a paint supplier. Cleaned it real well, power wash and scraped. Will apply tomorrow or Sunday

You are going to want to let that floor breathe for a few days with the garage door cracked or open. You just injected a ton of water into it via pressure washer and when it warms up hydrostatic pressure can potentially pop your freshly applied coating. A moisture test at minimum is recommended.